Kirk Dillard, Bill Brady make pre-election stops in Rockford

Sunday

Mar 16, 2014 at 9:22 PMMar 16, 2014 at 9:22 PM

By Corina CurryRockford Register Star

ROCKFORD — Two of four Republican candidates in the primary for Illinois governor made brief stops in Rockford on Sunday afternoon, each telling residents they are the right choice for the state’s future.

Both stops were part of statewide, fly-around campaigns involving multiple cities for state Sen. Kirk Dillard and state Sen. Bill Brady and their supporters.

Dillard, who stopped by Rockford shortly after noon, brought his former boss and former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar, and his running mate, state Rep. Jil Tracy, along for the ride. His visit drew support from Winnebago County Board Chairman Scott Christiansen, state Sen. Dave Syverson, a handful of other state and local office holders and a small contingent of union employees.

“I’m convinced that there is only one candidate for governor in either party this year who can get this state back on track,” Edgar said. “There’s only one candidate who has the experience and the necessary skills to make Illinois work again, and that’s Kirk Dillard.”

Illinois faced many of the same financial troubles in the early 1990s, Edgar said, when he was first elected governor as it does today.

As his chief of staff, Dillard played a key role in getting the state out of debt and paying its bills on time, Edgar said.

“Let’s go back to the future,” Dillard said, “where we had that unemployment rate below the national average and a billion and a half dollar surplus and a governor you could be proud to call your own.”

Brady and his team made their visit closer to 5 p.m.

Calling himself “the one, reliable Republican” in the race, Brady touted his voting record on issues including pro-life, the Second Amendment, taxpayers and jobs.

“The rest of the candidates fall short of the Republican principles when it comes to these issues,” Brady said, “which makes it problematic for them not only in the primary but in the general election.”